If GOP has their way, no more draft cards to burn

For years, men like me and others have had to register with the Selective Service on their 18th birthday. Why? Who knows as there is no draft and well, it’s more of a symbolic thing. But one GOP rep says enough wasting money. Get rid of it. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., a retired Marine and Gulf War vet says the system is silly as there is no draft, it’s a waste of money and we aren’t ever going to go back to the days of conscription so who cares.

The GOP is also looking at this as a way to trim the budget and cut down on the deficit without really doing much of anything. The Military Times story also points out this is only $24 million. A lot to you and me but in a budget that totals into the trillions of dollars, it’s a drop in the bucket. The point is that it’s more symbolic than anything else.

So what do you think? I have said repeatedly here and will continue that while I get the all volunteer force is better trained, has people who really want to be there and is probably cheaper in the long run, I think that we are missing out on something important without conscription. when it comes to our national identity. I believe that we need some type of national service but I would advocate that it start with 40-year-olds like me who didn’t serve. Give us a shot in our middle ages or our prime earning years to make a difference, be it in the service, volunteer or, whatever. I know it could affect jobs and I know the cost is huge. It’ll never happen but we need a unifying force again like there was back when all eligible men served whether they liked it or not.

Author: Andy Kravetz

Andy Kravetz has spent most of the past 16 years covering the area's legal system as well as the military. in that time, he's crawled in the mud, flown in transport planes, and written about a man prosecuted for terrorism. This blog will reflect all those interests and then some.
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